Lever-control mechanism for motor-vehicles.



APPLIGATIONI'ILED MAY 19, 1911.

Patented Apr. 15,1913.

, swua/wto'a Z 14 677.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE.

ROBERT A. MOEWEN, OF NATOMA, KANSAS.

LEVER-CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT A. MCEWEN, citizen of the United States, residing at Natoma, in the county of Osborne and State and freeingthe motor to thereby prevent the working of the brake against the operation of the engine. a

The invention further aims to provide a system of levers wherein the clutch may be freed independently of the brake. mechanism, but wherein the brake cannot be applied without releasing the clutch.

The invention has for 'a still further object to provide a comparatively simple attachment for the control of levers now in common use and to so connect the same that the above enumerated results will be produced, the attachment being of such a nature that it can be readily and quickly applied to the levers.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in

which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the transmission and clutch casing with the improved lever system applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same; and, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of theattachmenh'the parts of the same being partially separated from one another. v

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawing by the same reference characters. o

Referring to the drawing, 10 des 'gnates the combined clutch and transmission casing having the clutch arm 11 mounted against one side of the same. The clutch arm 11 is of common form and is provided with a set screw 12 having a look-nut 13 for securing it inadjusted position to limit the swinging movement of the arm 11. Against the same side of the casing 10, and for- Specificatlonof Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 15. 1913.

- Application filed May 19, 1911 Serial No. 828,323.

wardly of the arm 11, is a foot pedal or lever 14 pivoted at 15 and having a depend: ing extension 16 to'hingedly receive the forward end of the connecting rod 17 which is carried at its rear end inhinged relation upon the lower extremity of the clutch arm 11. The pedal 14thus controls the move-- mentof the clutch arm 11. A foot pedal or lever 18 is mounted at its lower end upon the same side of the casing 10 and has suitable connection with a braking mechanism disposed within the casing 10. As at present employed, the clutch operating mechanism and the brake mechanism are independent of one another, and it is "the main object of this invention to provide an improved coupling between the brake and this clutch mechanism.

The attachment comprises an arcuate rod 19 provided 'at its forward end with an inturned finger 2O projecting through a transverse opening formed in the brake lever 18 adjacent to its lower end. A cotter pin 21 passes through the extremity of the finger 20 to hold the rod 19 upon the lever 18. The rod 19 extends back, is offset as at 22to accommodate the same to the casing 10, and is provided with a threaded portion 23 over vwhich are carried apair of interlocking nuts 24. An attaching plate 25 is carried upon the upper end of the clutch arm 11, the plate 25 having openings in its opposite ends. The

set screw 12 passes through the opening in one end of the plate 25 to bind the latter against the forward edge of the arm 11, the plate 25 extending inwardly from the arm. The other opening in the plate 25 receives loosely therethrough the rear end of the draw the arm 11 forwardsufiiciently only to release .the clutch. When the clutch is released, further forward movement of the lei ver 18 applies the brake while at the same time holding the clutch.disengaged.- As it is now used, the lever 14 not only controls the clutch arm 11 but it also operates the low or first speed gears of the transmission mechapism when the lever is swung to its foremost position. This adjustment of the lever ",14 is disclosed by the dotted lines in Fig. 1,

wherein the clutch arm 11 is swung forward without operating the brake lever 18;

When the arm 11 moves forward the plate 25-is carrieditherewith aw'ayfrom the stop nuts 24g admitting of the loose movement of the plate 25 over the arcuate rod 19. It is as in coasting down grades and the like, it is only necessary to move the brake lever 18 forward a slight distance to release the clutch, and to move the lever 18 farther forward to check the speed of the vehicle.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

The combination with a clutch arm, means for operating the same, and a brake lever, of a plate secured rigidly to the clutch arm and projecting laterally therefrom and provided with a transverse perforation in its free end, a rod pivoted at its front end to the brake lever and extending loosely throng the said perforation, said rod having an arcuate portion formed about the fulcrum of the clutch arm as a center, and a stop on the free end of the said rod adapted K to impinge against the said plate when the brake lever is actuated.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

ROBERT A. MQEWEN. 1,. a] 

